Christmas is a time of inclusion, the quintessential celebration of all and for all. Despite the tendency for materialism that normally invades Christmas, the essential value of Christmas is richer, the people themselves.

A genetic mutation is, by the Greek definition, origin and genesis. This means that the mutation is never imposed, artificial or external to the human being. It is rather natural and fully connected to our essence and human origin. Mutation is unique and involves the continuation of our needs and desires in the world.

The extension of the Lisbon Aquarium is an intervention in a consolidated and dynamic public space that wants to promote a comfortable dialogue with the existing building, without overshadowing it.

The idea of leaving the surrounding public space free of any visual obstacle and not interfering or imposing on the existing urban space, leads to the proposal of an elevated volume that serves as a roof for a new public square. A slightly inclined floor grounds the project by avoiding substantial changes to the existing building, creating a stimulating dialect between the projected construction by Peter Chermayeff in 1998 and the new building. The resulting building is contained within an irregular prism that joins the existing building as a counterpoint, volumetrically complementing the original aquarium. The new and existing buildings are connected by the main circulation slopes, which allow a dialogue and flow between the two main structures.

A recurrent theme in investigative practice, which also exists here, is the pre-occupation of creating architecture that can combine aesthetic demands with good sustainable performance. The formal solution of the building’s façade is a response to bioclimatic issues, with opened and closed elements allowing for passive ventilation and solar shading.